[nadia33]

RBC down WBC up...

by nadia33 on Mon May 30, 2011 9:47 am

After one week of intravenous dex and rev and 25 mg of velcate daily, my sisters red blood cell and hemoglubin and hematicrite and platelets has decreased to below noemal. It's not too bad yet but definitely lower than normal range. On the other hand the ANC and WBC has increased from before but still in normal range. Is this increase a good thing as long as it is in normal range? Also should her doses of medication be decreased due to anemia or do they wait until it gets very bad? There were no changes made today when she went for second dose.
Thank u.
Nadia

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: RBC down WBC up...

by Dr. Edward Libby on Sat Jun 04, 2011 11:25 pm

Changes in the blood cell counts are common with treatment. In general the physician will not change the dosage of treatment drugs until/unless the changes are fairly marked. This is because the efficacy of treatment often falls at lower doses of drugs. Supportive care with growth factors (erythropoetin) and transfusions as needed will often keep the patient living a normal life while allowing the oncologist to maximize the dosage and therefore the anti-myeloma effect of the drugs. It is a good idea to discuss theblood count (CBC) changes with your physician at every visst so that you can become well informed of what is happening, why it is happening and what should be done about it.

[nadia33]

Re: RBC down WBC up...

by nadia33 on Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:05 pm

Thank you very much Dr. Actually my sister's doctor doesn't see her every time she goes for treatment. She has an appointment in 2 weeks after her first cycle is over. Do doctors usually meet up with the patients every week before getting treatment? There are a lot of questions that we need to ask but was waiting for the appointment in two weeks. I thought that is how it is done usually. But from your post, seems like some doctors meet w the patient every week to discuss results and answer questions.

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: RBC down WBC up...

by Dr. Edward Libby on Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:02 pm

I did not mean to imply that the physician can meet weekly. Usually, the oncologist/hematologist will visit with the patient in clinic immediately before each cycle of therapy. These visits serve to review recent laboratories, answer questions and make certain that the patient is tolerating therapy and is able to receive another cycle of chemotherapy.